Ballister Molina Questions
Did Ballister Molina only make pistols for the Argentine military? I saw one yesterday that didn't have the usual military crest that I've seen on the surplus models. Bluing was better too. Is there any difference in quality or performance between the commercial models and the military ones? Does anyone know when were they were made? Any info or insight would be appreciated. I'm trying to decide between a surplus Ballister, a "commercial" Ballister, or Rock Island Arms 45.
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Here's the history of the Ballester Molina pistols.
http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/ballester.htm
I've owned a couple of the "commercial" versions in the past.
If I had my druthers, I would get a Ballester Molina, instead of a Rock Island Arms, which I believe is made by ARMSCOR in the Philippines.
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Rock Island is producing nice pistols (made in the Phillipines I believe) and buying a new gun gets you the advantage of not inheriting anyone elses mistakes or perhaps getting a gun that is a bit worn. Having said that I have owned several Ballesters and feel they are fine guns. Several parts are interchangeable with the older Colts and they offer quite a bit for the money. To answere your question they did make guns primarily for the Argentine military but they also supplied commercial guns ( the only one of the 3 I owned that I kept was a commercial) to the public in addition to selling guns to the British during WWII for their special forces ( so I have heard!). The commercial guns are supposedly of better quality but I believe that that thought comes from the fact that the military guns had quite a few more rounds pumped through them in their lives. I cannot warrant the practice but I have swapped out the barrel for an older National Match barrel and hand fitted an extended three slot compensator (bushing replacement type)that really brought the group size down dramatically. Additionally several companies out there are offering an Argentine Military 9/10 shot magazine that sells for about $10. These are not bad for the money and give you a few extra rounds in the tank. Normal Colts type mags also fit and work just fine so interchangeability is not an issue and you can pick up mags on the cheap at shows. If you do a little filing and polishing they can be made to work drop free as well.
To sum up I think I would recommend the commercial Ballester as long as it is in very good condition as the $100 diference in price makes the difference for me. I have had great performance from all the Ballesters I owned and feel that they are a good investment. The steel that the Argentines used was of really good quality and as they built contract versions under Colts license for many years before stealing the basic design to build the Molina I figure that they had plenty of practice! Use your own best judgement but make sure you are not paying too much for the Ballester in comparison to the new Rock Island!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
I had a girl from Columbia I work with translate the markings on my Riguad. It wasn't a military sidearm, was marked police. 0 -
You will also find the Ballesters marked for the Argentine Navy, Argentine State Police, thier equivalant of the IRS, and several Municipal Police forces among doubtless many others! Of the 3 I've owned (all Molina's) none were from the same agency. The one I kept was Ejercito (Army), #2 was a state (federal)police gun and #3 was a Buenas Aires municipal police gun! There seem to be many permutations of these things!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
I decided to get the commercial Ballister. I took a look at all three this weekend (three different shops across town) and like the looks of the Ballister the best. The Rock Island pistol looks good too, but I like the proven "track record" of the Argentine pistols. I like the national police crest on the surplus guns (gives it character) but the finish and barrel rifling is almost completely gone. Now my question is, does anyone know of a forum/website that deals primarily with Ballisters and milsurp handguns? I've looked at the Parralax site and there's good info there. 0 -
I would look in Shotgun news if the "fine print" ads in the back and see who is offering spare parts for the Ballesters these days. One place to look might be Springfield Sporters @ www.ssporters.com. They have in the past carries parts and likely still have some. I would look for one that has a bit more blue left on it just asthetics sake. There are not a lot of aftermarket/speed parts available for these guns but buying a U.S. G.I. Military Surplus barrel will take care of the one problem you mentioed; should cost around $50. The rifling in these 45's (and most for that matter) is fairly shallow looking. Just make sure there is no pitting and you should be O.K. Make sure the condition is VG before spending much on one...as much as i like tham if you have to spend $150 to bring it up to speed you may as well but the Rock Island!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0
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